Sunday, 1 July 2018

After completing three years of study at the National Gallery of Victoria's School of Painting, Roger Kemp remained aloof from the art world for a decade, troubled by the vitriolic reaction of conservative creative circles to the new concepts of abstraction and artistic experiment. His paintings from this time were smaller scale and landscape and figure based, before becoming more abstracted and symbolic, inspired by modern music and dance. In 1944 he held his first solo show at Velasquez Gallery in Melbourne - at that stage the only gallery that would exhibit modern art. An exceptionally high number of inclusions in major group shows through the 1950s established Kemp's name among the great modern Australian painters. During this time, painting in enamel on masonite, his work moved towards non-objective abstraction, whilst tying in symbolic uses of colour and composition. In 1970, at age 62 - his reputation at its height - the Kemp family moved to London. There he produced a major series of small scale pastel and ink drawings, and shared a studio with Bridget Riley and Peter Upward where he began painting on paper on a large scale, employing the 'all-over' composition he is best known for today. Kemp remained an active, productive and respected artist and teacher in Melbourne until his death in 1987, being awarded an OBE and installing four monumental tapestries of his paintings in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria, where they remain today below Leonard French's stained glass ceiling.

I have just enjoyed making my own background with water and Distress Ink and then I drew a line around. Here Daniel is waiting for the Christmas lights to light up. We are outside the county museum at Strømmen 1. advent 2007.

I have created circles in pen and also took inspiration from the limited colour scheme of the artwork.

Our main prize winner this year will be selected by random draw - so anyone could be a winner, no matter your style or your level of experience or your country of residence. If there are more than 8 entries in the month a second prize (donated each month by one of our team) will be drawn.

Main Prize

Second Prize(drawn if more than 8 entries)

Donated by Jane Howden

Over to you ......

Please upload the DIRECT link to your actual entry with the link tool on the LEFT by 11.55pm on the last day of the month - please remember we are an Australian based challenge so please check your day and time. You may combine your entry with other challenges. Please include our inspirational picture and challenge details on your blog post as well as providing a link back to us at ARTastic. You may enter more than once in any month as long as each submission is with a different creation. International entries are very welcome. No blog? No problem! You can also add your entry to our gallery on our Facebook page.

Please call past on the 15th for our announcement of the June winners.

February random draw prize

2nd random draw prize if more than 8 entries

January inspiration is by Chris Vella called Joy.

JANUARY entries ...

January Prize

JAN second prize - if more than 8 entries

Donated by Sharon Bishop

NO WORD VERIFICATION please

Our Creative Team love to leave comments on each and every entry, so please make it easier for them to do so and remove WORD VERIFICATION for your comments. If you choose to use specialist galleries please be aware we may not be able to leave comments for you.

ARTastic is a challenge blog with a difference. We find inspiration in works of art.THE RULES - You don't need to be arty to play along with us - we accept traditional paper, digital, mixed media and off the page creations at any level. International entries are welcome. You may combine with 3 other challenges. Please include our inspirational artwork and a link back to ARTastic on your entry and tell us how you were inspired by our artwork.